The Mt John Observatory sits high above Lake Tekapo and is one of the best places in the country for stargazing. You can drive up during the day, but there’s a small fee for access, and at night it’s only open through guided tours. The tours are great if you want to learn more about the stars and galaxies from the experts, but if you’re on a budget, you can skip it and just watch the night sky from down by the lake. It’s just as amazing. The view from the top is worth the drive though, both day and night. Photographers, grab your camera at night for insane Milky Way pictures !